Following directions is a practical skill children use during classroom routines, play, and everyday tasks. These ten activities give parents, teachers, and caregivers concrete ways to practise listening, remembering steps, and acting in order, using familiar materials such as toys, paper, and household objects. Start with directions that are easy to understand, then adjust the challenge to suit the learner.
1. Red Light, Green Light
Choose a start line and a finish line, then have one person call out a movement cue such as “walk,” “tiptoe,” or “freeze.” Players move only when the caller gives the agreed signal; anyone who moves at the wrong time returns to the start or simply pauses for the next turn. This familiar outdoor game is useful because children must listen for a specific cue, stop an ongoing action, and respond promptly rather than simply copy what others are doing. Begin with one clear cue, then add a contrasting cue or a movement such as hopping once the basic rule is understood. Keep the play light: the goal is to practise attention and self-control, not to eliminate players.
2. Draw What I Describe
Give each participant paper and a pencil, and describe a simple picture without showing it: “Draw a large circle near the middle, then put a small square above it.” Add details one at a time, such as a line beneath the circle or a dot inside the square, and compare the pictures afterward. This activity shows how position words and order affect a result, while giving the listener a reason to ask for clarification when a direction is unclear. Use shapes and locations the child knows, and pause between steps so they can finish each one. Avoid treating a different-looking picture as a failure; discuss which words were clear and which could be made more precise.
3. Build a Block Structure
Set out blocks in several colors and shapes, then give directions for building a small structure: “Put a blue block on the table, place a red block beside it, and add a green block on top.” For an easier round, point out the needed pieces and give one instruction at a time; for a harder round, describe the whole sequence before the builder begins. The activity makes words such as “beside,” “under,” and “on top” meaningful because the child can see the result of each choice. After building, invite the child to give the directions while an adult follows them exactly, including any confusing wording. Taking turns develops clear speaking as well as careful listening.
4. Make a Paper Folding Picture
Give the child a sheet of paper and guide them through a simple sequence, such as folding it in half, opening it, and drawing a shape in one corner. Choose folds that are safe and manageable, and demonstrate only when the learner needs a visual clue; otherwise, let the spoken directions do the work. A paper activity offers a clear beginning and end, and each step changes the object in a visible way, making it easier to notice whether the order mattered. Try adding location words such as “top edge” or “bottom corner,” but introduce unfamiliar terms before asking the child to act on them. The finished page can become a drawing or a simple card.
5. Set Up a Toy Scavenger Hunt
Hide a few familiar toys in an accessible room and give clues that require the child to follow a direction rather than guess randomly. For example, say, “Walk to the sofa, look beside the cushion, and bring the small car back to the table.” Keep hiding places safe and reachable, and make the instructions specific enough that the child knows what to search for. This turns listening into purposeful movement and lets you practise action words, location words, and a short sequence within a playful task. If a clue is missed, repeat it calmly or break it into parts, then gradually offer less help. Let the child hide objects and create clues for someone else, too.
6. Copy a Movement Sequence
Ask the child to listen and then perform a short set of movements, such as clap, touch both shoulders, and turn around. Say the whole sequence before the child starts, and keep the actions familiar so the challenge comes from remembering the order rather than learning new movements. When that feels comfortable, vary the sequence or ask the child to do the actions in reverse order, provided they understand what “reverse” means. This activity gives practice in attending to spoken information and holding it in mind long enough to act. It can be done beside a chair or desk, so it works indoors without equipment; choose movements that fit the child’s abilities and available space.
7. Follow a Simple Recipe
Choose a no-cook snack with familiar ingredients, such as spreading a filling on bread and adding slices of fruit, and ask the child to follow the preparation steps. Before starting, identify any ingredients that need adult handling and make sure the workspace and utensils are appropriate for the child. Directions such as “put the bread on the plate, spread the filling, then add the fruit” have a real purpose and a clear outcome, which can help sustain attention. Invite the child to check off or repeat each step before doing it, and avoid rushing if they need an instruction repeated. This is also a natural chance to practise washing hands and putting materials away as part of the routine.
8. Sort Objects by Spoken Clues
Place a small collection of safe household objects or classroom counters on a table, then ask the child to sort them using spoken clues: “Put the round pieces in this bowl, then place the blue pieces on the tray.” Start with one feature at a time so the child can learn the sorting rule, then combine a feature with an action or location. The task helps clarify whether the learner understands descriptive words such as “round,” “blue,” and “next to,” and it gives you a straightforward way to adjust the language. Use objects that are easy to distinguish, especially when a child is new to the activity. Once the first sort is complete, ask the child to explain the rule or give a new one.
9. Complete a Classroom or Home Helper Job
Turn a familiar routine into a purposeful direction-following task, such as putting napkins on the table, placing cups beside them, and returning the supply basket to its shelf. Give the steps in the order they need to happen, and show where items belong before expecting the child to remember a new routine independently. Because the task contributes to a shared activity, it offers a meaningful reason to listen and finish rather than practising directions in isolation. Keep the job manageable and praise specific actions, such as following the sequence or checking the table when finished. If a direction is too broad, replace it with an observable action: “put the spoons in the drawer” is clearer than “tidy up.”
10. Play a Direction-Giving Obstacle Course
Arrange a safe path using cushions, a chair, or floor markers, leaving clear space to move without climbing on unstable furniture. Give directions such as “walk around the cushion, step over the line, and sit on the chair,” adjusting the route to the child’s mobility and the room. The activity combines listening with movement and gives immediate feedback: the child can tell whether they completed the route in the requested order. Keep the course simple enough that the directions, not physical difficulty, are the main challenge, and never ask a child to jump from furniture or move through an unsafe space. Switch roles so the child can design a route and explain it clearly to an adult.
How to Choose
Pick an activity based on the skill you want to practise, not on which game looks most impressive. If the learner is still getting comfortable with spoken cues, choose an activity with one clear action at a time, such as sorting objects or responding to a movement signal. If the child already follows single directions reliably, try a short sequence in a recipe, building task, or helper job. Pay attention to whether the challenge is understanding the words, remembering the order, distinguishing left from right, or staying focused; those are different hurdles, and changing only one feature at a time makes it easier to see what support helps.
Make directions concrete and age-appropriate without assuming that every child will respond to the same wording. Use familiar vocabulary, face the child when speaking, and give them a moment to process before repeating the instruction. A picture, gesture, or written checklist can support understanding, but decide whether the goal is to follow spoken directions alone or to use helpful visual cues as part of the task. Reduce distractions when needed, and choose materials that are safe and easy to handle. If the child misunderstands, calmly rephrase the direction rather than adding several new instructions at once. A good activity feels achievable while still requiring genuine listening.
Also consider the setting and the child’s interests. A movement game may suit a child who enjoys active play, while drawing or block building may work better at a table. For a group, select an activity that lets everyone take a turn without making mistakes embarrassing; for one-to-one practice, use the child’s own questions and ideas to keep the task engaging. Keep track of which kinds of wording help, and increase complexity gradually by adding a step, a new location word, or a requirement to remember the instruction before acting. There is no need to turn every routine into a test: short, positive practice woven into ordinary activities is often easier to repeat.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does following directions include?
It can involve understanding the words, remembering the instruction, doing actions in the requested order, and checking whether the task is complete. A child may manage one part more easily than another, so observe what happens rather than treating every missed direction as the same problem.
How should I make directions easier?
Use familiar words, give one action at a time, and point to the relevant object or location if a visual cue is appropriate. Wait briefly for the child to process the instruction, then repeat or rephrase it calmly if needed.
When should I add more steps?
Add a step when the child can usually complete the current direction without substantial help. Keep the new sequence short, and return to an easier version if the learner loses track or becomes frustrated.
Should I correct mistakes during the activity?
Offer a neutral reminder or repeat the missed direction, then let the child try again when it is safe. Afterward, talk about the wording that caused confusion, rather than focusing on blame or speed.
Can these activities help at school and at home?
Yes. The same skills are useful in both settings, though the directions and materials will differ. Practising with toys, chores, classroom supplies, or snack preparation can help make listening and sequencing part of ordinary routines.
Final Thoughts
Following directions develops through clear language, useful practice, and chances to try again. These activities offer different ways to work on listening, remembering, sequencing, and acting with care. Choose a safe, enjoyable starting point, notice which parts are easy or difficult, and adjust the next direction accordingly. The aim is steady confidence and greater independence, not perfect performance in every game.